The Devil Child

Chapter Twenty-Eight

 Minny hated his new school. The oxford shirt that was under his sweater felt stiff and uncomfortable in the heat of the classroom, but no one else seemed bothered by it. They stared at the professor, jotting down notes like good little rich children, ready to take on the world that was handed to them.

The biggest difference from public school, Minny noted, was how serious the students seemed to be. He didn't notice anyone that was fooling around, though it was only his second day at the prep school. But even so, the attitude of these students were different. They acted more mature, more entitled, more knowledgeable.

They were, in their own way, dangerous.

When the bell rang overhead, he'd never felt so relieved. Well, that wasn't true - he actually wasn't very relieved at all, because anger still simmered in his blood at his brother, and worry ran deep in his veins for Polly. He had things building up inside of him that he wasn't very fond of. He was the first to admit his anger issues, though he usually was good at keeping that emotion in check. But now, he felt dizzy with emotions. Emotions he wanted to deal with for once, instead of pushing them back.

He slung his leather messenger bag over his body and stepped outside into the cold fall air. It was brisk, and reminded him of last night, nearly falling out of his window. It was a memory he had no interest in reliving, but when he looked down to the walkway, he was pleasantly surprised to find Polly, this time not a hallucination.

Well, he hoped.

She was standing with Tom, who looked as he usually did in his crisp oxford shirt, and the two of them were talking about something that held some sort of importance, because he noted that Polly had this determined look on her face as she nodded along to whatever Tom was saying.

Minny faltered for a moment, shocked to see the two together. He'd been shocked yesterday, but today he felt as though two worlds were colliding, and seeing Polly and Tom together, without him, seemed almost wrong.

And of course, he was shocked that Polly was even there - which meant she did trust him, enough to see him after school once again.

"Minny!" Polly called once she saw him, which was totally out of character for her. Minny was used to her being quiet, waiting for him to make the first move. But today, she seemed antsy and determined.

A hand brushed his shoulder, and he looked towards the girl behind him. Her name is Rachael, his mind reminded him, and he suddenly remembered her offer to drive him home. Since starting this school, his father had revoked all use of the car - he was afraid Minny would drive off. And Rachael, the girl from class, was eager to get to know him.

"Your friends are here," she said, almost in a distasteful tone. "so I'm assuming you don't need a ride home?"

Her bracelets clanked loudly in his ear, and he eyed the girl for a moment. He didn't know her, but admired the way she held herself, as if she was above everyone else. Her confidence rivaled that of Kenzie's, he couldn't help but think.

"Yeah, yeah. I'll ride with them. Thanks, though."

As a reply, Rachael stuck her nose in the air and passed him, stepping down the steps as if she were walking the red carpet. Minny couldn't help but notice the way Polly watched her, like a moth drawn to a light.

"I'm glad you guys are here," Minny said as he reached the walkway. Tom grinned and handed him a slip of gum, which Minny put in his mouth, relishing in the mint flavor. He bumped fists with Tom, then looked at Polly.

She was agitated, he knew that much. But, she just smiled up at him and turned for the car. "Let's go!"

When the reached the car, he held open the passenger side door again, but Polly slid into the back seat without his help. It was a typical thing for Polly to do, and so Minny didn't take offense to the action, but rather slid into the front seat. Tom started the car, and then looked at Minny.